When is the Royal Plowing Ceremony?
The Royal Plowing Ceremony, called “Bon Chroat Preah Nongkoal” in the Khmer language, is solemnly celebrated at the beginning of the sowing and planting season on the 4th day of the 6th lunar month's waning moon, which is usually in May in the western calendar.
History of the Royal Plowing Ceremony
This holiday marks the start of the rainy season with feasts and prayers in the hope of a bountiful harvest.
The highlight of the day is undoubtedly the cultural ceremony that usually takes place at Meru Field in front of the National Museum, next to the Royal Palace.
In the ceremony, chanting monks ask the earth spirits for permission to plough. Then ceremonial furrows are drawn, rice is scattered and offerings are made to the divinities. King Norodom Sihamoni himself often gets involved in some plowing and planting.
It is then the turn of the royal oxen known in Khmer as Usapheak Reach, to make a prediction for the harvest in the coming year. The oxen are offered rice, grain, grass, water and wine. If they chose rice or grain the harvest will go well; water signifies rain; grass is a sign that crops will be devastated by insects; and wine, that there will be drought.
